Dragon Challenge reviews
Theme Park Insider readers offer their ratings and reviews for Dragon Challenge, a roller coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. (The minimum height to ride is 54 inches.)
Written by Robert Niles You can read more about the new section of the park on our Wizarding World of Harry Potter page.
Readers' rating:
Universals best roller coaster - Andrew Dougherty Let me first say, Dueling Dragons was by far the best the best coaster I have ever been on, (when I was a kid, and more recently). Dragon Challenge was just a theming changing, but now after two accidents in 2010, the rides DO NOT DUEL ANYMORE. This is the biggest upset of all thrill rides. I think this ride is not really even that good anymore. The ride itself is smooth, but short, and the thrill level dropped really low now that they do not duel. - Ken Fiedler This ride used to be so much better, but now universal has stripped it down to it's bare bones. What a shame. The theming in the queue is now minimalist, the story now being that you're traveling down into a dark cave to ride the dragons (expect a lot of bare walls and lanterns). Perhaps the worst thing, is that due to an unfortunate accident, Universal has now stripped away the dueling aspect of this coaster....FOR GOOD. What we're left with is a ride that is a shadow of it's former self. Is it still fun and thrilling? Yes, of course...but it still feels like it's missing something that really set the ride apart. My rating is 6.5/10 - Dan Huffman I've ridden almost every coaster in Central Florida. These dragon coasters may not look like much, but there's something very intense about them. They feel very fast and give some pretty amazing forces. - Taylor Lynn There is only one place to sit on this ride... and, that's the front seat. It only lasts for a brief second, but there is moment, just before the twin loops, when both trains charge at each other, FACE-to-FACE! I don't believe any other roller coaster on the planet can deliver the same awesome effect. - Russell Fox Lent itself to an easy transition from Duelling Dragons to a Harry Potter themed coaster. The ride itself is thrilling, especially the loop when you come really close to the other car. The queue is dark but theming is excellent, particularly with the HP additions such as the flying car and the Triwizard Cup. The queue gets a little messy as you approach the start of the ride. - Ben Price I love the ride, but I hate the dark claustrophobic queue. Great loops, nice height and fun for rollercoaster beginners as it's not too extreme. 9/10 - D H I prefer Ice (or whatever it may be called now ha) to Fire but both are fantastic. Take the extra time to sit in the front to get the full experience of "dueling". Word of advice: Take a moment after you ride to regain your equilibrium before you ride the other coaster haha. 9/10 - Josh Denson Loved it! It has definitely been re-done since the first time I rode it. The ride is much smoother than it used to be and gives you a new thrill every time you ride it. I prefer ice but I say ride them both! - Terri Pierce More attraction and restaurant ratings:
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